Can you run a UK business from the Algarve?

Scott Cundill · 2026-10-29 · the Algarve

Yes, many people do, but it works best with good advice, honest planning and clients who still feel close to you. The Algarve offers golden cliffs, grilled sardines and the same time zone as London. The paperwork is the part that needs care.

Tax and residence, get advice first

Where you live, where your company is managed and where you work can all affect where tax is due. Rules on residence, social security and company control matter, and they change. Speak to an adviser who knows both the UK and Portugal before you move, not after. This article is not tax advice, it is a nudge to get some.

Time zones are on your side

Portugal shares UK time all year. Your clients will barely notice you have moved, apart from the faint sound of seagulls on your calls from Lagos or Tavira.

Keep your clients close

Fly back regularly, keep a UK number, and do not let your face fade. Some owners plan a London week every month or two, with meetings stacked tight and a pint with an old client at the end of each day.

Build a local circle too

Portuguese accountants, lawyers, banks and landlords will shape your life. Learning a little Portuguese, even "bom dia" and a thank you, goes a long way. Locals warm quickly to people who try.

Asking the Bridge for referrals

Tell the UK-Portugal Business Bridge what you need, a cross border accountant, a Lisbon lawyer, a client in Manchester, and why. If a member knows a suitable person and would vouch for them, they introduce you both. No sold lists, no cold calls, just introductions made by people who mean them.

The UK-Portugal Business Bridge

Hosted by Elaine Godley, the Bridge links British and Portuguese business people who prefer trusted introductions. Good company, whichever side of the Bay of Biscay you are on.